17/10/2021  Shatin  Race 8

KA YING STAR shifted out at the start and hampered TOURBILLON DIAMOND. WAIKUKU stumbled at the start, shifted out and brushed RUSSIAN EMPEROR. After the race, Z Purton reported that, in his opinion, WAIKUKU overreached on jumping and this was the reason for the horse stumbling. A veterinary inspection of WAIKUKU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BUTTERFIELD began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. GLORIOUS DRAGON, COLUMBUS COUNTY and PRECIOUSSHIP were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, TOURBILLON DIAMOND raced in restricted room between KA YING STAR and WAIKUKU. After the 1000 Metres, TOURBILLON DIAMOND was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 900 Metres, TOURBILLON DIAMOND was bumped by WAIKUKU which shifted out marginally away from the heels of SOUTHERN LEGEND before shifting in to resume its position behind that horse. WAIKUKU was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 150 Metres was steadied away from the heels of TOURBILLON DIAMOND (A Badel) which shifted in. WAIKUKU then continued to have difficulty obtaining clear running and close to the finishing line was again steadied away from the heels of TOURBILLON DIAMOND. A Badel was reprimanded and told to ensure that he keeps his mounts on a straight course in similar circumstances. GLORIOUS DRAGON was unable to obtain clear running over the final 300 Metres and consequently was not able to be tested. Approaching the 100 Metres, CHAMPION’S WAY was shifted in away from the heels of SOUTHERN LEGEND which shifted in marginally after being bumped on the hindquarters by WAIKUKU. Near the 100 Metres, BUTTERFIELD was awkwardly placed outside the heels of TOURBILLON DIAMOND. Approaching the 50 Metres, RUSSIAN EMPEROR raced tight between SKY DARCI and COLUMBUS COUNTY. When questioned, J Moreira (SKY DARCI) stated that, from barrier 11, he was asked to shift his mount across behind runners and it was hoped that SKY DARCI could obtain a position behind midfield but in front of some runners if possible. He said in the early stages horses drawn inside SKY DARCI were able to maintain their positions and for this reason he had no alternative but to shift his mount behind COLUMBUS COUNTY to obtain cover which resulted in SKY DARCI racing further back in the field than had been anticipated. He said after the 700 Metres he commenced to angle his mount to the outside of RUSSIAN EMPEROR, however, SKY DARCI lay in and was reluctant to shift out. He said he continued to angle SKY DARCI out with a view to following RUSSIAN EMPEROR after the 600 Metres and eventually working its way to the outside of COLUMBUS COUNTY to obtain clear running. He said SKY DARCI continued to lay in and would not shift to the outside of RUSSIAN EMPEROR and for this reason he changed his whip over from his left hand into his right hand near the 500 Metres. He said he used the whip rounding the Home Turn to have SKY DARCI respond to his riding, however, he was not able to shift SKY DARCI out at this time. He added approaching the 400 Metres he was able to direct SKY DARCI out to be following RUSSIAN EMPEROR, however, at this time he was racing inside the heels of COLUMBUS COUNTY, about one length behind that horse. He said in order to shift to the outside of COLUMBUS COUNTY, he would have had to steady his mount so as to clear that horse’s heels which would have given PRECIOUSSHIP the advantage over SKY DARCI and this would have resulted in SKY DARCI being unable to continue to shift to the outside of COLUMBUS COUNTY. He added he therefore elected to obtain inside runs and near the 350 Metres shifted to the inside of RUSSIAN EMPEROR in order to follow PANFIELD through. He said after improving between BUTTERFIELD and RUSSIAN EMPEROR and when racing behind PANFIELD, SKY DARCI was unable to obtain clear running over the final 150 Metres which resulted in the horse not being able to be properly tested. SKY DARCI, PANFIELD and PRECIOUSSHIP were sent for sampling.